The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
TOP STORY: Fed to the Wolves? Black Country men want Felix
Wolves are planning a stunning swoop for Benfica’s teenage wonderkid Joao Felix, so say the Mirror. Felix has emerged as one of European football’s hottest prospects since making his Benfica bow in August.
Since then, he has been banging in the goals and turning heads for the Portuguese giants — all before turning 20. Wolves won’t be short of competition for his signature, with some of the continent’s biggest names already jostling for a place in the queue for his services.
The likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all believed to be interested in signing a player who is unlikely to come cheap. Particularly as his current contract with Benfica doesn’t end until 2023.
But the Mirror is convinced that the well-publicised link between Wolves and super-agent Jorge Mendes could give the Premier League’s surprise package the upper-hand in the fight for his signature.
LIVE BLOG
08.53 GMT: Evidently Marouane Fellaini had a choice and he opted for China over Paris.
Marouane Fellaini confirms that he could have signed for PSG last summer. https://t.co/GvkKZymkjV
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) February 10, 2019
08.30 GMT: Superdeporte report that Levante are close to selling Ghana striker Emanuel Boateng to Chinese outfit Dalian Yifang.
The 22-year-old Ghana international travelled to Madrid on Sunday night and will undergo a medical in the Spanish capital on Monday with a view to join Dalian Yifang in a €11m transfer. According to Superdeporte, should the deal be completed, it will be the second biggest transfer in Levante’s history following the sale of Jefferson Lerma to Bournemouth for €30m in the summer of 2018.
PAPER TALK (by Richard Edwards)
Ole Ole Ole, job job job
The Sun reports that Norwegian magician Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be handed the full-time job as Old Trafford gaffer. The miracle worker has turned United from a dysfunctional rabble to the form team in Europe after taking over the hot-seat from Jose Mourinho.
United are publicly adamant that the quest to find a new permanent boss remains ongoing but Solskjaer’s incredible turnaround means that any move to appoint someone else to the role could end up being deeply unpopular with Old Trafford regulars.
The manager met with co-owner Avram Glazer after Saturday’s 3-0 win at Fulham — the club’s 10th win in 11 games under the Scandinavian.
Any move to appoint Solskjaer will be welcomed by Spurs fans, with Mauricio Pochettino widely reported as the club’s top target.
Milan eye Bakayoko discount
Chelsea’s Tiemoue Bakayoko endured a torrid time in London, so it should come as no surprise that the former Monaco midfielder is desperate to make his temporary switch to Milan a rather more permanent arrangement.
Getting any deal over the finish line might be a difficult task, though. Calciomercato is reporting that the Italian giants are eyeing a discount on the €35 million fee they’ve already agreed with the Blues, with the Rossoneri planning to start playing hard-ball with the Blues in April.
The player himself is already planning for a future away from Stamford Bridge and has instructed his management team to do all they can to make his transfer a reality.
After performing brilliantly for Milan this season — and showing why he was seen as one of Europe’s brightest talents while at Monaco — San Siro regulars will be hoping that the end of his Chelsea nightmare will usher in a dream stint in Serie A.
Tap-ins
– La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Inter are ready to make a move for Barca star Ivan Rakitic — and that the Croatian midfield maestro would prefer a move to Italy over the Premier League. The player has been linked with a series of English clubs, including Everton, in recent days.
– Edin Dzeko could be on his way to West Ham for £15m. That’s according to Calciomercato, which reports that the former Manchester City star could be on his way to the Hammers from Roma.
– Could Kasper Schmeichel be looking for a move away from Leicester? The Sun certainly thinks so, quoting his dad, Denmark and Manchester United legend Peter, who said that the Foxes didn’t have a manager capable of getting the best out of the club’s players. What Claude Puel makes of those comments is anyone’s guess but speculation surrounding Schmeichel’s future is nothing new. The Danish No. 1 has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Roma in the recent past.